Lew Wallace
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"Lewis "Lew" Wallace" was an American lawyer, Union Army/Union general in the American Civil War, governor of New Mexico/governor of the New Mexico Territory, politician, diplomat, and author from Indiana. Among his novels and biographies, Wallace is best known for his historical adventure story, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880), a bestselling novel that has been called "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century."

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As a rule, there is no surer way to the dislike of men than to behave well where they have behaved badly.

When people are lonely they stoop to any companionship.

Am I going home to idleness? No, no. My feet and hands may be still, not so the mind--that has its aspirations yet, and it will work, for it has a law unto itself. Idleness is one thing, doing is another.

He met me with politeness and dignity, ... Turning to the officers at the table, he remarked: 'General Wallace, it is not necessary to introduce you to these gentlemen; you are acquainted with them all.'

The monuments of the nations are all protests against nothingness after death; so are statues and inscriptions; so is history.

One is never more on trial than in the moment of excessive good fortune.

[Wallace shook hands with the Rebel brass.] I was then invited to breakfast, which consisted of corn bread and coffee, the best the gallant officer had in his kitchen, ... We sat at the table about an hour and a half.